FinTech & Your ‘Reputation’ – The Power of Data, Dr Tom Fisher

Dr Tom Fisher is a research officer at Privacy International. In this second interview for Real Media, he talks about the growth of financial technology (“FinTech”), and the manner in which data collection and retention can build up a complete pictures of an individual which is increasingly being used by the finance sector and others to create a reputational index.

While mortgage ‘redlining’ was officially banned in the UK by the 1974 Equal Credit Opportuniy Act, evidence is emerging of unregulated data use in deciding credit worthiness, advertisement and job targetting, and other unforeseen areas.

Privacy International is researching this issue and campaigning for new regulation to protect our rights and our privacy, but they are battling againts people’s willingness to use technology sold as ‘convenient’ in return for giving away vast amounts of personal information.